Here are just a few things I've noticed around here, just in case you were interested...
--- It is so hot here that gum melts... it actually melts in the package. I opened up the front pocket of my backpack the other day to find a total gummy hot mess! Some of the pieces were still in the wrapper, so I thought... might be good. Uh, yeah, just in case you were wondering... hot gum that is dripping between your fingers before you even get it into your mouth tastes like ABC gum. (already been chewed) Just some advise... don't ever do it!!
--- The people here are really so nice and welcoming to me. It's so funny... I get double takes like I'm some big Hollywood movie star! And I think I've been told about half a dozen times how beautiful I am. My skin, my eyes, my nose... it's very sweet, but very disconcerting. And for someone who has a bit of a big self-confidence issue, it's a little hard to swallow. But I've been told I am not very nice to myself, which is, in fact, quite true. My dad says that we are our own worst enemies. Why is it that we, as a whole, think so negatively about ourselves? Something to work on...
--- I am trying to learn the language here, but it is a little hard to sit at a table eating a meal and everyone, who knows English, is speaking their native language, Waraywaray. It makes for a lonely meal even though I am surrounded by people. It is pretty selfish of me to say so, after all, I am the only one there not knowing what is being said and I can't expect people to dote upon me. All the same, I hope I can learn the language quickly so as to avoid this altogether!!
--- There are these little ants here... everywhere!! I have to shake out my clothes before putting them on and wipe off my backpack before using it. When I open drawers they are scurrying everywhere. I asked Sr. Clarissa if it was me, was I doing something that was attracting them, or was it just life in the Philippines. I was hoping she would say it was the former so I could just clean something and be rid of them, but nope! That's just the way it is here. Ug!
--- The other day Sr. Clarissa approached me and asked why all the windows were closed in my bedroom. Care to venture a guess as to my answer? Before trying to do so, let me give you a little hint... there are no screens on the windows. So, of course, I say I don't want grasshoppers and lizards in my room. She looked at me like there was green goopy gooey stuff coming out of my eyes. She said they will not hurt you, but if you get too hot from not having enough air in a hot, hot room... that could really hurt you. I'm still weighing my options there. Truly, I don't know which is worse!!!
--- Last Sunday at mass in the chapel near Providence Home I was sitting in a pew with two women, both with children. While waiting in line for communion, of all places, one of them asks me how many children I have. None, I say. She is shocked and says as much. Well, I sheepishly say, trying not to be rude but either way I'm being rude to either the woman or to Jesus who I am just about to receive, I am considering many things... the religious life, single lay Catholic missionary life, consecrated virgin... Oh no, she says, if you do not have children that would be the worst thing E.V.E.R.!!! Oh, I said. You MUST have children, she says, shaking her head at me while giving me a disapproving look. Ooookaaayyyy, I whisper. I think I pacified her, but what about me??? It was pretty funny, but I hope if one of her children are called to the religious life she will celebrate it as much as if they announced grandchildren were on the way!!!
--- Did you know how many things can be made out of rice? Well, rice, of course, and rice pudding, which up until now that is the only forms of it I have had, although I know there is rice milk. But that is not all... there is rice noodles, rice pancakes, rice caramel cups with coconut, sticky rice (cooked in banana leaves), rice chips, cocoa rice sticks (I'm totally having a Bubba Gump moment right now!!) Seriously... there are even more but I've forgotten some. I've had more rice in more ways than I ever thought possible and I've only been here for 2 weeks!!!
--- I'm sort of bumming because I am unable to eat the fruit here. There are so many delicious, tropical fruits here. Mangoes and papaya that are better than any I've had in the States (although I was sorry I indulged about a half hour later!! :-( But other fruits like linzones, which are sort of like grapes but more sweet, and so many different kinds and colors of bananas. For some reason, possibly because the fruit is washed in untreated water, whenever I eat any I get a tummy ache after. And it is only with fruit. I remember being so sick in Africa. It's early yet... too soon to do my "I'm not sick" happy dance, but I am feeling pretty good and have yet to tap into my supply of granola bars. I'll just have to offer up my desire for fruit when it sits all luscious and tempting in front of me at the table!!!
--- Everyone has been so great to me. All the sisters and the children here, our neighbors both at Providence Home and at Nazareth Home, all of the priests and sisters I have met... by the way, as a side note, this is how I am introduced... "This is Sarah Noonan from Buffalo, NY in the United States. Her brother is a priest." Which then is followed by a more interested welcome than before the priestly info was given. So, I've gone from being Tom Noonan's little sister in high school to Father Mark's sister in the Philippines! Pretty funny! Anyways, back to my point... everyone is so nice here... but being the only American here, being the only missionary, not having anyone to vent to in person when needed, or an understanding first world shoulder to cry on is difficult, harder than I thought it would be. The solidarity I found both times in Africa and in Peru is not here. But, as my brother-in-law, John likes to say, whatever doesn't kill you, makes you stronger. Following that logic, I'm gonna be like the Incredible Hulk when I get home!!!
That's all for now, folks. Thanks for reading and thinking of me!! xoxo
